CHICAGO, IL--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 17, 2008 -- As result of the record rains this past weekend, including Saturday's rainfall ranking as the most recorded on any calendar day in Chicago history, Chicagoans are now facing another daunting figure -- flood damage estimates. Charter One is here to help, offering the bank's EZ Home Improvement Loan to homeowners whose properties were damaged from recent flooding.

The EZ Home Improvement Loan is an unsecured loan program that offers the ability to borrow $1,000 at an interest rate of 1% APR over three years. In addition, those not affected by the recent weather conditions, but want to weatherize their homes for winter, may do so with the Charter One Energy Efficiency Loan. For a limited time, both loans are also offering special discounted "employee pricing" for customers.

"The recent flooding has been devastating and stressful for many families and individuals," said Scott C. Swanson, President and CEO, Charter One, Illinois. "At Charter One, we offer a product that can help homeowners make necessary repairs not covered by their insurance."

The EZ Home Improvement Loan is designed for low-to-moderate-income homeowners based on HUD median family income guidelines and the income amount may vary depending upon the actual place of residence. The $1,000 1% APR fixed rate loan has a three-year term with a low monthly payment of $28.20 per month when payments are automatically deducted from a Charter One checking or savings account. There are no fees or closing costs.

Under the same HUD guidelines and for larger home-improvement projects, Charter One is also offering a 6.0% APR on loans up to $10,000 at terms up to seven years. For example, a $3,000 loan at a 6.0% APR with a five-year term would result in 60 monthly payments of $58.00.

With home improvements in mind and colder weather just around the corner, the bank also continues to offer the Charter One Energy Efficiency Loan, an unsecured loan to help low- to moderate-income homeowners in the Chicago area finance weatherization projects to help make their homes more energy-efficient.

The Charter One Energy Efficiency Loan offers select homeowners the ability to borrow $1,000 to $3,000 at a rate of 1% APR for 36 months. A 3% APR is available for loans of $3,001 up to $10,000 for up to 84 months.

"Homeowners can take advantage of these below-market rate loans year-round to make energy efficient and money-saving improvements to their homes such as adding insulation, installing storm windows and doors, replacing an old furnace, or upgrading a home-heating or cooling system to a more energy-efficient unit," said Swanson.

Now through October 10, 2008, both loans feature "employee pricing for customers," resulting in a 1/2% discount for EZ Home Improvement loans greater than $1,000 and a 1/2% discount for Charter One Energy Efficiency Loans.

To apply for an EZ Home Improvement Loan or Charter One Energy Efficiency Loan, homeowners should visit a Charter One branch office or call 1-877-TOP-RATE.

About Charter One

Charter One is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. It has 466 branches and more than 760 ATMs. It has 121 branches and 352 ATMs in Illinois. Charter One's Web site is charterone.com.

RBS Citizens, N.A. is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $160 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. CFG's two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 13-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. It is one of the 10 largest commercial banking companies in the United States ranked by assets and deposits. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc). CFG's Web site is citizensbank.com.

     Contact:
     Stacey Reineking
     Charter One
     312-777-3628